Grade crossing scorecard in Mississippi: 130 upgrades, 40 closures

About 130 grade crossings in Mississippi recently have been upgraded on CSX Transportation, Kansas City Southern Railway Co. and Norfolk Southern Railway lines to improve safety, according to the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT).

In addition, of 55 crossings slated for closure on the lines, 40 have been closed. The remainder of will be closed in the near future, MDOT said.

Since 2000, the department has funded about $22 million and the railroads have contributed about $7 million for crossing projects. Recent Federal Railroad Administration statistics show Mississippi leads the nation in reducing crossing fatalities, which dropped from 13 in 2006 to three in 2007, MDOT said.